State in control of PCYC

THE fate of the beleaguered Castle Hill PCYC has finally been decided, as the State Government takes control while ensuring the area and its facilities will always be geared toward community use.

After 18 months of rigmarole with PCYC Queensland, the not-for-profit organisation has given the keys to the site to Townsville City Council, who act as landlords of the State Government.

On January 24, the Bulletin confirmed the Hugh St facility had finally closed, through the council and State Government.

A majority of Castle Hill PCYC’S programs had to be relocated to the two other branches in town after the ageing building was battered in last year’s floods, with only the pool remaining available until then.

But PCYC Queensland deny they’ve relinquished the site, again repeating that management was “in discussions” with the council and the State Government over the facility’s future.

Chief executive Phil Schultz did say that damage sustained to the facility after last year’s flood and the “ensuing insurance assessment remain outstanding”.

According to Townsville MP Scott Stewart, the State Government, including the Department of Communities, and the council, had been preempting the possibility of PCYC Queensland one day walking away from the site.

He said concerns from the public about the State Government or the council bulldozing the facility to make way for housing developments were unfounded, and that the site would remain community use.